Building performance assessment system and method

ABSTRACT

A virtual data acquisition component generates a building performance model having a plurality of predicted building performance metrics. A physical data acquisition component obtains a plurality of trended building performance metrics. An integrated interface receives the building performance model from the virtual data acquisition component having the plurality of predicted building performance metrics and the plurality of physical building performance metrics from the physical data acquisition component. The integrated interface enables the comparison of the predicted building performance consumption metrics with the trended building performance metrics to identify performance gaps.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/907,222 entitled “BUILDING PERFORMANCEASSESSMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD” filed Feb. 27, 2018, which claims thebenefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/530,563 entitled “BUILDING PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD”filed Jul. 10, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The traditional measures of building performance are limited, primarily,to the measurement of energy usage through energy management systemsand/or building automation systems. Energy usage can be a large expensein large commercial facilities that include many buildings. In suchfacilities, energy usage can cost millions of dollars per year. Thechallenge in managing these facilities is to minimize the costs and tomaintain traditional building performance at acceptable levels.

Building designers, owners, and operators must consider other economicand environmental factors, including Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). IAQrefers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures. Inparticular, an analysis of IAQ can be used to assess indoor airpollution and the potential health risks that such pollution poses forbuilding occupants. The assessment of IAQ can help building ownersunderstand and control common indoor pollutants to reduce buildingoccupant health concerns.

More recently, the need to assess economic and environmental factors hasexpanded beyond the assessment of energy usage and IAQ to include ananalysis of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). IEQ relates toenvironmental conditions inside of a building. Assessing IEQ can includeevaluating air quality, lighting, views, acoustic conditions, and manyother factors. Building managers and operators can increase thesatisfaction of building occupants by considering all of the aspects ofIEQ rather than narrowly focusing on temperature or air quality alone.

The development of sophisticated computerized energy management systemshas provided buildings owners with a variety of new tools that can beused to analyze various aspects of facility operations. These systemscan monitor energy usage over time, but they typically comparetraditional metrics of buildings performance to historical measurementsof building performance, essentially measuring the building againstitself. Additionally, these metrics are essentially limited to SiteEnergy Utilization Intensity (EUI), Source Energy Utilization Intensity(EUI), Cost of Utilities and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (CO2).

Moreover, these traditional metrics are measured annually and only aftera building is operational. This is undesirable because EUI is determinedafter the building has been operational for some period of time, usuallyconsidered to be twelve months. By that time, construction stakeholdershave typically exited the project. Since building owners, both forprofit and not for profit, cannot afford to wait for twelve months toacquire the trended data that is necessary to obtain a base levelcontext for traditional building performance, these existing energymanagement systems, when used to assess building performance againstdesign, are inadequate.

SUMMARY

The following summary is provided to introduce a selection of conceptsin a simplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In various implementations, a virtual data acquisition componentgenerates a building performance model having a plurality of predictedbuilding performance metrics. A physical data acquisition componentobtains a plurality of trended building performance metrics. Anintegrated interface receives the building performance model from thevirtual data acquisition component having the plurality of predictedbuilding performance metrics and the plurality of physical buildingperformance metrics from the physical data acquisition component. Theintegrated interface enables the comparison of the predicted buildingperformance consumption metrics with the trended building performancemetrics to identify performance gaps.

These and other features and advantages will be apparent from a readingof the following detailed description and a review of the appendeddrawings. It is to be understood that the foregoing summary, thefollowing detailed description and the appended drawings are explanatoryonly and are not restrictive of various features as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for assessing buildingperformance in accordance with the described subject matter.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram for assessing building performance inaccordance with the described subject matter.

FIGS. 3A-3G illustrate a flow diagram for operating the integratedinterface shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the described subjectmatter.

FIG. 4A illustrates a schematic diagram for another embodiment of abuilding performance assessment system in accordance with the describedsubject matter.

FIG. 4B illustrates a schematic diagram for a building performanceassessment dashboard in accordance with the described subject matter.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram for a data acquisition device inaccordance with the described subject matter.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram for a data acquisition system inaccordance with the described subject matter.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic diagram for an integrated interface inaccordance with the described subject matter.

FIG. 8A illustrates a screen shot of a landing page for a dashboard inaccordance with the described subject matter.

FIG. 8B illustrates a screen shot of a building metrics page for adashboard in accordance with the described subject matter.

FIG. 8C illustrates a screen shot of a consumption tab for a dashboardin accordance with the described subject matter.

FIG. 8D illustrates a screen shot of a building sensors tab for adashboard in accordance with the described subject matter.

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate an embodiment of an exemplary process inaccordance with the described subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description provided below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of examples and is not intended torepresent the only forms in which the present examples can beconstructed or utilized. The description sets forth functions of theexamples and sequences of steps for constructing and operating theexamples. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences can beaccomplished by different examples.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an exampleembodiment,” “one implementation,” “an implementation,” “one example,”“an example” and the like, indicate that the described embodiment,implementation or example can include a particular feature, structure orcharacteristic, but every embodiment, implementation or example can notnecessarily include the particular feature, structure or characteristic.Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the sameembodiment, implementation or example. Further, when a particularfeature, structure or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, implementation or example, it is to be appreciated that suchfeature, structure or characteristic can be implemented in connectionwith other embodiments, implementations or examples whether or notexplicitly described.

Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of one or more features of the described subject matter.It is to be appreciated, however, that such features can be practicedwithout these specific details. While certain components are shown inblock diagram form to describe one or more features, it is to beunderstood that functionality performed by a single component can beperformed by multiple components. Similarly, a single component can beconfigured to perform functionality described as being performed bymultiple components.

Buildings consume over 50% of the US energy and have no performancestandards that are typically considered during the planning or designphase of construction. Sustainability programs in the built environmentare typically prescriptive processes designed to raise awareness. Onlyrecently have sustainability programs started defining acceptablethresholds or ranges of performance for certain types of metrics.However, these sustainability programs provide limited, if any,direction on how to cost effectively achieve the performance-orientedrequirements, making the adoption of these new programs difficult toscale.

Existing energy management systems do not allow building owners toassess actual building performance compared to project goals set duringdesign due to the fragmented nature of commercial construction.Moreover, such systems are not sophisticated enough to measure afull-range of building performance factors as they relate to projectgoals. For these reasons there is a need for a holistic system forsetting performance goals during planning and measuring performanceagainst those goals in real-time during operations.

Referring to FIG. 1, various features of the subject disclosure are nowdescribed in more detail with respect to an integrated buildingperformance assessment system, generally designated as 100. The system100 addresses the above-described long felt need and allows buildingowners to assess building performance against project goals establishedduring planning. The system 100 assesses building performance within amore expanded context, such that the relevant building performancemetrics include metrics relating to energy usage, IAQ and IEQ. Thesystem 100 defines high performance buildings as any building, group ofbuildings, sites and/or communities whose performance achieves orexceeds performance targets set during pre-planning, planning,conceptual planning, design, etc.

The system 100 relates, generally, to a system that provides a holisticapproach to evidence-based performance in the built environment. Thesystem 100 provides building owners and facility managers with the toolsand the data necessary to assess, dynamically, building performanceversus the targets set in planning and/or design phases of a project.Stakeholders can use the system 100 throughout the building cycle in amanner that is aligned to deliver common goals, as set in planning.

The system 100 can include a computer system that can configure andimplement a virtual data acquisition component 110 that includes one ormore virtual data input devices 112, a virtual performance modelgenerator 114, and one or more data transmission devices 116.Additionally, the system 100 can configure and implement a physical dataacquisition component 120 that includes one or more physical data inputdevices 122 and one or more data transmission devices 124. The virtualdata acquisition component 110 and the physical data acquisitioncomponent 120 can connect to an integrated interface 130.

The integrated interface 130 has the ability to assess environmentalimpact of energy and indoor environmental quality performance for abuilding or a group of buildings. The integrated interface 130 measuresactual performance in real-time as a function of the financial andsocial goals of the building owner. These goals can be determined duringa planning phase or at another time thereafter.

The integrated interface 130 has the ability to display, visually,actual building performance data versus the goals set during theconstruction planning process. The integrated interface 130 utilizeshardware, software and proprietary knowledge to show buildingperformance within the context of an investment thesis for a buildingowner. The integrated interface 130 utilizes whole building energymodels and building goals that can be developed during the planningprocess. These models can be revisited or tracked, routinely, once abuilding is in operation. In this exemplary embodiment, the models canpredict various indicators of building performance, including metricsfor site EUI, source EUI, cost, carbon emissions and/or other greenhousegas emissions.

The integrated interface 130 provides building owners with transparencywith respect to the delivery of expected building performance during theconstruction process. The integrated interface 130 can link buildingplanning to building operations. The integrated interface 130 providesbuilding owners with the ability to set performance goals during thedesign and planning stages of construction and to track, digitally,actual building performance against those goals for troubleshootingpurposes.

The integrated interface 130 can include a computer system or computingdevice that configures and implements a building performance assessmentplatform 132. The building performance assessment platform 132implements and utilizes an interrogation-based commissioning assistancemodule 134, a dynamic decision matrix output production module 136, anda dashboard display 138.

The virtual data acquisition component 110 implements and utilizes thevirtual data input devices 112 to obtain information relating to variousbuilding performance metrics. The information can be obtained fromarchitects, designers, construction managers, modelers, engineers, andsustainability consultants. The information can relate to architecturaldesign, cost estimates, simulated occupancy, subcomponent energy models,weather station output, whole-building energy models and/or otherinputs. The information can be obtained manually or through automateddata acquisition methods or systems.

The virtual performance model generator 114 can utilize theabove-described information to generate a virtual building performancemodel having a plurality of predicted building performance metrics. Thevirtual building performance model can include predicted biometrics,predicted IAQ/IEQ, and/or predicted utility consumption. The predictedutility consumption can be categorized by sources, includingcogeneration systems, district energy chilled-water, district energysteam, electric, gas, potable water, renewable geothermal, renewablephotovoltaics, renewable wind, and/or one or more other types ofutility. The virtual building performance model can be a design model oran operational model depending upon when it is generated or modified.

The virtual data acquisition component 110 can transmit the virtualperformance model to the integrated interface 130 using the datatransmission devices 116. The virtual performance model can betransmitted via an application programming interface (API), a cloudcomputing system, email, geofencing, a hardwired network, a proprietarydevice driver, a WiFi network, a wireless network, a Bluetooth network,and/or through any other suitable transmission method, device, ornetwork. In some embodiments, the data transmission devices 116 canconnect to the integrated interface 130 directly, so that data that iscollected from the data input devices 112 is transmitted to theintegrated interface 130 directly.

The physical data acquisition component 120 can configure and implementthe physical data input devices 122 to collect physical data. Thephysical data can relate to sensor output and/or data output relating toambient lighting, biometrics, carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide(CO), circadian lighting, formaldehyde, humidity, internally generatednoise, lead (Pb), ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM2.5 & PM10), radon(Rn), sound pressure level, temperature, volatile organic compounds(VOCs), water quality and/or other data types relating to energy usageor indoor environmental quality. The physical data input devices 122 canobtain data manually or through automated data acquisition methods orsystems.

The physical data input devices 122 can include automatic temperaturecontrols, building automation system, design and engineering, IAQ/IEQsensors, manual entry devices, personal data monitors, utility meters,weather stations and/or other inputs, as available.

The physical data acquisition component 120 can communicate theinformation from the physical data input devices 122 to the datatransmission devices 124. The data transmission devices 124 can use theinformation to generate or to calculate a plurality of trended buildingperformance metrics. The trended building performance metrics caninclude trended biometrics, trended IAQ/IEQ, and trended utility. Thephysical building performance metrics can be transmitted to the buildingperformance assessment platform 132 on the integrated interface 130.

The physical data acquisition component 120 can transmit the physicalbuilding performance metrics and/or the raw data to the buildingperformance assessment platform 132 on the integrated interface 130using the data transmission devices 124. The information can betransmitted via an application programming interface (API), a cloudcomputing system, email, geofencing, a hardwired network, a proprietarydevice driver, a WiFi network, a wireless network, a Bluetooth network,and/or through any other suitable transmission method, device, ornetwork. In some embodiments, the data transmission devices 124 canconnect to the integrated interface 130 directly, so that data that iscollected from the data input devices 122 is transmitted to the buildingperformance assessment platform 132 on the integrated interface 130directly.

The virtual data acquisition component 110 can generate models duringvarious construction phases, including planning phases, design phases,calibration phases, and operation phases. The physical data acquisitioncomponent 120 can obtain the physical building performance metricsduring a calibration phase. The integrated interface 130 can obtain thephysical building performance metrics from the physical data acquisitioncomponent 120 during the calibration phase to transform the model from adesign model into an operational model using trended data to inform thedesign model. In some embodiments, the planning phases and the designphases can last one year, the calibration phases can last one year, andthe operational phase can last one year.

The integrated interface 130 can receive the predicted buildingperformance metrics and the trended building performance metrics inessentially the same format to form an integrated data stream. Theintegrated interface 130 can enable the modification of the virtualbuilding performance model to produce an enhanced building performancemodel. A builder can use the integrated data stream to modify itsbuilding plans or the building, itself. The integrated data stream canbe a data stream in which the data is in the same format (e.g., unit ofmeasure and timescale) and displayed in a manner that allows comparison.

The integrated interface 130 can configure and implement a buildingperformance assessment platform 132. The building performance assessmentplatform 132 can utilize an interrogation-based commissioning assistancemodule 134, a dynamic decision matrix output production module 136, anda dashboard display 138.

The interrogation-based commissioning assistance module 134 can utilizethe integrated data stream to modify the whole-building performancemodel based upon comparisons of trended data with predicted data. Theinterrogation-based commissioning assistance module 134 can use thetrended data and/or the predicted data to perform simulations that canbe used to identify and to remediate problems, which can improve wholebuilding performance. The simulations can use new building profiles andset new targets to produce operation-based solutions.

The dynamic decision matrix output production module 136 can utilize theintegrated data stream to provide output for a dynamic decision matrix.The dynamic decision matrix can include information relating to buildingperformance goals, construction costs and long term operating costs. Theoutput can be used by a building owner to compare multiple solution setsfor improving building performance.

The dynamic decision matrix can be the product of financial modelingand/or a financial calculator. The financial calculator can be an energyuse intensity (EUI) and IEQ value financial calculator. The calculatorcan provide the ability prove tangible financial savings that can beachieved through investment into energy conservation and improved IEQmeasures. The financial models produced by the calculator can predictthe potential cost or benefit of EUI and IEQ performance in wholebuilding environments.

The calculator uses connectivity to calculate the value provided tobuilding owners of new, existing and retrofit commercial and residentialbuildings. The calculator can identify the value associated withoperational benefit, the social cost of carbon benefits, asset valuationbenefits, and/or occupant benefits.

The calculator can be a tool for predicting and validating the savingsassociated with EUI and IEQ improvements as a function of investmentcosts. The calculators can provide a holistic view of return oninvestment for energy conservation and IEQ related investments.

The building performance assessment platform 132 can utilize thedashboard display 138 to provide output for visually assessing aplurality of key performance indicators for a building. The dashboarddisplay 138 can provide output to enable visual identification of therelationship between trended and predicted building performance, whichcan enable the comparison of predicted building performance metrics withtrended building performance metrics to identify gaps between predictedbuilding performance and actual building performance. The dashboarddisplay 138 can be used to identify these gaps at any time during theentire building lifespan, including the planning phases, the initialconstruction phases, the operation phases, and, if applicable, thebuilding renovation phases, for new buildings, existing buildings,and/or retrofit buildings.

Referring to FIG. 2 with continuing reference to the foregoing figures,an exemplary process, generally designated by the numeral 200, foroperating an integrated building performance assessment system is shown.In this exemplary embodiment, the process 200 can be performed by theintegrated building performance assessment system 100 shown in FIG. 1.

At 210, virtual data is acquired. In this exemplary embodiment, virtualdata is acquired using the virtual data acquisition component 110 shownin FIG. 1. The virtual data acquisition component 110 uses the virtualdata input devices 112 to acquire the virtual data. The virtual data iscommunicated to the virtual performance model generator 114, whichgenerates a virtual building performance model at 212. The virtualbuilding performance model is transmitted to the integrated interface130 shown in FIG. 1 at 214.

At 220, physical data is acquired. In this exemplary embodiment,physical data is acquired using the physical data acquisition component120 shown in FIG. 1. The physical data acquisition component 120 usesthe physical data input devices 122 to acquire the physical data. Thephysical data is communicated to the data transmission device 124 forformatting at 222. The physical building performance data is transmittedto the integrated interface 130 shown in FIG. 1 at 224.

At 230, the integrated interface combines the data from the virtualbuilding performance model with the physical building performance datainto an integrated data stream. In this exemplary embodiment, theintegrated interface can be the integrated interface 130 shown inFIG. 1. The integrated interface 130 can use the data to calibrate thevirtual building performance at 232 and use the data to recommendphysical building enhancements (i.e., to drive building performance) at234. The calibration at step 232 transforms the virtual buildingperformance model from a design model into an operational model.

The integrated data stream can be divided into two categories of data.The first data category can include utility data types. Utility datatypes include cogeneration system data, district energy chilled-waterdata, district energy steam data, electric utility data, gas utilitydata, water utility data, various renewable energy data and/or any othertype of relevant utility data. The second data category can includephysical data relating to IAQ/IEQ, which includes ambient lighting,biometrics, CO₂, CO, circadian lighting, formaldehyde, humidity,internally generated noise, Pb, O₃, PM2.5, PM10, Rn, sound pressurelevel, temperature, VOCs, water quality and/or other relevant, relateddata, as described above.

At 236, interrogation-based commissioning can be performed. In thisexemplary embodiment, interrogation-based commissioning can be performedby the interrogation-based commissioning assistance module 134 shown inFIG. 1.

At 238, dynamic decision matrix output and input can be exchanged. Inthis exemplary embodiment, dynamic decision matrix output and input canbe exchanged by the dynamic decision matrix output production module 136shown in FIG. 1. The dynamic decision matrix output can include datarelating to building performance goals, building performance costs, andlong term operating costs.

At 240, a dashboard display can be provided. In this exemplaryembodiment, the integrated interface 130 can implement the dashboarddisplay 138 shown in FIG. 1. The dashboard display 138 can display,dynamically, aggregate portfolio metrics, individual building metrics,utility metrics, IAQ/IEQ metrics, and/or building portfolio maps and/ormetrics.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3G with continuing reference to the foregoingfigures, an exemplary process, generally designated by the numeral 300,for operating an integrated interface is shown. In this exemplaryembodiment, the process 300 can be performed by the integrated interface130 shown in FIG. 1.

At 310, the integrated interface 130 receives a virtual buildingperformance model. In this exemplary embodiment, the integratedinterface 130 receives the virtual building performance model from thevirtual data acquisition component 110 shown in FIG. 1. The virtualbuilding performance model having a plurality of predicted metrics,including energy consumption, IAQ and/or IEQ metrics.

At 312, the integrated interface 130 receives physical buildingperformance metrics and/or data. In this exemplary embodiment, theintegrated interface 130 receives the metrics and/or data from thephysical data acquisition component 120 shown in FIG. 1. The metricsand/or data can include a plurality of trended or measured metrics,including energy consumption, IAQ and/or IEQ metrics.

At 314, the integrated interface 130 can transform the data into acommon format to form an integrated data stream. At 316, the data can becombined to compare trended data with predicted data.

At 318, the integrated interface 130 can be utilized to determinewhether actual performance aligns with predicted performance. If theintegrated interface 130 determines that actual performance is notaligned with predicted performance, then the integrated interface 130can be utilized to determine whether the actual and/or the predictedperformance can be improved through troubleshooting at 320.

At 322, the integrated interface 130 determines whether the virtualbuilding performance model should be revised. If the integratedinterface 130 determines that the model should be revised, then theintegrated interface 130 communicates with the virtual data acquisitioncomponent 110 to revise the model at 324. The virtual data acquisitioncomponent 110 can revise the model by recalibrating the virtual datainput devices 112 or by adjusting the virtual performance modelgenerator 114 shown in FIG. 1.

At 326, the integrated interface 130 determines whether the physicalbuilding should be modified. If the integrated interface 130 determinesthat the physical building should be modified, then the integratedinterface 130 sends building modification recommendations at 328. Thebuilding modification recommendations can be displayed by the displaydevice 138 shown in FIG. 1.

At 330, the integrated interface 130 configures and implements thedynamic decision matrix output production module 136 shown in FIG. 1 todetermine whether the model should be revised because of performancegaps. In this exemplary embodiment, the integrated interface 130determines whether dynamic decision matrix output has been requested at332. If the output has been requested, the integrated interface 130produces dynamic decision matrix output.

The dynamic decision matrix can be used to determine the impact of anenhanced building performance model on various building performancegoals and/or costs, which can be based upon actual building performance.The goals and/or costs can include sustainability goals, first costs,and long term operating costs.

The dynamic decision matrix output can be used to determine whether themodel should be revised at 336. If the integrated interface 130determines that the model should be revised, the integrated interface130 can communicate with the virtual data acquisition component 110 torevise the model at 338. It should be understood that the dynamicdecision matrix output can be used to determine whether the buildingshould be reconfigured, retrofitted, and/or renovated.

At 340, the integrated interface 130 configures and implements theinterrogation based-commissioning assistance module 134 shown in FIG. 1to determine whether the models should be revised because gaps exist. Inthis exemplary embodiment, the integrated interface 130 enablesinterrogation-based commissioning displays at 342. The displays canproduce output relating to area personnel use, building automationsystems, design and engineering modifications, electrical systems,envelop performance, field changes, indoor environmental quality,mechanical systems, outside climate, quality control testing, thermalcomfort, value-engineering and/or any other relevant type of output.

The interrogation-based commissioning assistance module 134 can interactwith building owners and/or other users to identify corrections at 344.The performance corrections can be sent through the integrated interface130 to the virtual data acquisition component 110, to the physical dataacquisition component 120, or to the dashboard display 138 at 346.

The integrated interface 130 can configure and implement the dashboarddisplay 138 shown in FIG. 1. The operation of the dashboard display 138is represented by steps 348-366 in FIGS. 3F-3G.

At 348, the integrated interface 130 determines whether a user hasrequested an aggregated portfolio metrics display. If the output hasbeen requested, the dashboard display 138 generates an aggregatedportfolio metrics display at 350. The aggregated portfolio metrics caninclude EnergyStar® portfolio manager output, site EUI, source EUI,carbon, and/or costs. EnergyStar® is a registered trademark of theEnvironmental Protection Agency.

At 352, the integrated interface 130 determines whether a user hasrequested an individual building metrics display. If the output has beenrequested, the dashboard display 138 generates an individual buildingmetrics display at 354. The individual building metrics can includeEnergyStar® portfolio manager output, site EUI, source EUI, carbon,and/or costs.

At 356, the integrated interface 130 determines whether a user hasrequested a display of utility information with integrated targetsthereon. If the output has been requested, the dashboard display 138generates the display at 358. The utility information can includemetrics relating to cogeneration systems, district energy chilled-water,district energy steam, electric, gas, potable water, renewablegeothermal, renewable photovoltaics, renewable wind, or any other typeof utility.

At 360, the integrated interface 130 determines whether a user hasrequested a building portfolio map. If the output has been requested,the dashboard display 138 generates a building portfolio map at 362. Thebuilding portfolio map can include one or more building high performanceindicators.

At 364, the integrated interface 130 determines whether a user hasrequested an IAQ/IEQ display with integrated targets. If the output hasbeen requested, the dashboard display 138 generates an IAQ/IEQ displaywith integrated targets at 366. The display can include metrics and/ortargets relating to ambient lighting, biometrics, CO2, CO, circadianlighting, formaldehyde, humidity, internally generated noise, Pb, O3,PM2.5, PM10, Rn, sound pressure level, temperature, VOCs, water qualityand/or other relevant, related data, as described above.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4B with continuing reference to the foregoingfigures, another embodiment of a building performance assessment system,generally designated as 400, is illustrated. It is to be appreciatedthat sections, components, and/or portions of the building performanceassessment system 400 can be implemented as a computer, computer system,and/or computing device and can be configured as a special purposecomputer or a general purpose computer specifically programmed togenerate building performance models. Further, it is to be appreciatedthese features can be implemented by various types of operatingenvironments, computer networks, platforms, frameworks, computerarchitectures, and/or computing devices.

Implementations of a computer system are described within the context ofa system configured to perform various steps, methods, and/orfunctionality in accordance with the described subject matter. It is tobe appreciated that a computer system can be implemented by one or morecomputing devices. Implementations of the computer system can bedescribed in the context of “computer-executable instructions” that areexecuted to perform various steps, methods, and/or functionality inaccordance with the described subject matter.

In general, computers, computer systems, and/or computing devices caninclude one or more processors and storage devices (e.g., memory anddisk drives) as well as various input devices, output devices,communication interfaces, and/or other types of devices. Such systemsand devices can include a combination of hardware and software. It canbe appreciated that various types of computer-readable storage media canbe part of a computer, computer system, and/or computing device. As usedherein, the terms “computer-readable storage media” and“computer-readable storage medium” do not mean and unequivocally excludea propagated signal, a modulated data signal, a carrier wave, or anyother type of transitory computer-readable medium. In variousimplementations, a computer system can include a processor configured toexecute computer-executable instructions and a computer-readable storagemedium (e.g., memory and/or additional hardware storage) storingcomputer-executable instructions configured to perform various steps,methods, and/or functionality in accordance with aspects of thedescribed subject matter.

Computer-executable instructions can be embodied and/or implemented invarious ways such as by a computer program (e.g., client program and/orserver program), a software application (e.g., client application and/orserver application), software code, application code, source code,executable files, executable components, routines, applicationprogramming interfaces (APIs), functions, methods, objects, properties,data structures, data types, and/or the like. Computer-executableinstructions can be stored on one or more computer-readable storagemedia and can be executed by one or more processors, computing devices,and/or computer systems to perform particular tasks or implementparticular data types in accordance with aspects of the describedsubject matter.

A computer, computer system, and/or computing device can implement andutilize one or more program modules. Generally, program modules includeroutines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., thatperform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.

A computer, computer system, and/or computing device can be implementedas a distributed computing system or environment in which components arelocated on different computing devices that are connected to each otherthrough network (e.g., wired and/or wireless) and/or other forms ofdirect and/or indirect connections. In such distributed computingsystems or environments, tasks can be performed by one or more remoteprocessing devices, or within a cloud of one or more devices, that arelinked through one or more communications networks. In a distributedcomputing environment, program modules may be located in both local andremote computer storage media including media storage devices. Stillfurther, the aforementioned instructions may be implemented, in part orin whole, as hardware logic circuits, which may or may not include aprocessor.

A computer system can include one or more servers. Servers can beimplemented by one or more computing devices such as server computersconfigured to provide various types of services and/or data stores inaccordance with aspects of the described subject matter. Exemplarysevers computers can include, without limitation: web servers, front endservers, application servers, database servers, domain controllers,domain name servers, directory servers, and/or other suitable computers.

Components of computers, computer systems, and/or computing devices canbe implemented by software, hardware, firmware or a combination thereof.For example, computer systems can include components implemented bycomputer-executable instructions that are stored on one or morecomputer-readable storage media and that are executed to perform varioussteps, methods, and/or functionality in accordance with aspects of thedescribed subject matter.

As shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, the system 400 includes a virtual dataacquisition device 410 that has the ability to acquire virtual data ormetrics relating to predicted building performance based upon input fromone or more devices and/or sources. The virtual data acquisition device410 can generate a virtual building performance model based the virtualdata or metrics. The virtual building model can include predicted energyconsumption metrics, predicted indicators, predicted measurements,and/or predicted sensor outputs. The models can be whole building energymodels that establish building goals during the planning process.

The virtual data acquisition device 410 connects to a network 420, whichis connected to a physical data acquisition device 430 that can have aplurality of sensors and/or sensor measurement systems that can be usedto acquire trended data and trended sensor measurements.

The network 420 can be implemented by any type of network or combinationof networks including, without limitation: a wide area network (WAN)such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a Peer-to-Peer (P2P)network, a telephone network, a private network, a public network, apacket network, a circuit-switched network, a wired network, and/or awireless network. Servers and workstations can communicate via networksusing various communication protocols (e.g., Internet communicationprotocols, WAN communication protocols, LAN communications protocols,P2P protocols, telephony protocols, and/or other network communicationprotocols), various authentication protocols, and/or various data types(web-based data types, audio data types, video data types, image datatypes, messaging data types, signaling data types, and/or other datatypes).

The physical data acquisition device 430 has the ability to acquireobserved or trended data or metrics relating to actual buildingperformance based upon input from one or more devices and/or sources.The observed or trended data can include observed or trended buildingperformance metrics, trended indicators, trended measurements, and/ortrended sensor outputs. The trended metrics, indicators, measurementsand/or sensor outputs can be acquired in real-time or near real-time.

The physical data acquisition device 430 can convert raw sensor outputinto actual building performance metrics to report the metrics over thenetwork 420. Alternatively, the physical data acquisition device 430 canreport actual raw sensor output over the network 420 for conversion intoactual building performance metrics by an integrated interface 440.

The integrated interface 440 connects to the virtual data acquisitiondevice 410 and the physical data acquisition device 430 over the network420. The integrated interface 440 includes a platform host 442 and anAPI 444. The integrated interface 440 can be configured to implement theplatform host 442 to receive the virtual building performance model fromthe virtual data acquisition device 410 and/or the physical buildingperformance metrics or raw data from the physical data acquisitiondevice 430. The integrated interface 440 can communicate with thevirtual data acquisition device 410 and/or the physical data acquisitiondevice 430 to revise and/or to track the model, the data and/or themetrics, as necessary.

The platform host 442 can generate a platform that enables a dashboard450 for the comparison of predicted building performance metrics and/orindicators from the virtual building performance model with trendedbuilding performance metrics and/or indicators. The dashboard 450 can bean integrated building performance dashboard that includes a graphicaldisplay that provides for the comparison of actual building performanceto simulated targets set during building design and/or planning.Building performance can be based upon various metrics relating to allsources of energy, IAQ and/or IEQ.

The dashboard 450 can provide users with the ability to compare actualbuilding performance for a building with respect to energy usage, indoorair quality metrics, indoor environmental quality metrics, indicators,measurements, and/or sensor output against performance goals for thebuilding set at the time of investment. As a result, the dashboard 450provides building owners with the ability to assess return on investmentand/or to hold vendors accountable for successful delivery of productsor services.

The dashboard 450 can include a landing page 452 and various tabs, suchas an energy use metrics tab 454, a consumption tab 456, and a sensortab 458. The landing page 452 can include at least one building iconrelating to a building and links to the energy use metrics tab 454, theconsumption tab 456, and the sensor tab 458. The dashboard 450 canfacilitate real-time analysis of utility consumption and/or investmenttargets at a particular point of investment, planning, discovery and/ordesign.

The integrated interface 440 connects to one or more client device(s)460 over the network 420. The client device(s) 460 can include one ormore building monitor displays, desktop PCs, laptops, tablets, iPads,iPhones, smartphones or other similar communication devices. The clientdevices 450 can be enabled to display the landing page 452, the energyuse metrics tab 454, the consumption tab 456, and the sensor tab 458.The client device(s) 460 can include a screen 462.

The consumption tab 456 can display the at least one trended buildingperformance metric with a corresponding predicted building performancemetric, so that the trended building performance metric can be comparedto the predicted building performance metric for a time interval withina predetermined period of time.

The sensor tab 458 can display, graphically, sensor output, utilitymeter output, or other similar output from the physical data acquisitiondevice 430. The sensor tab 158 can display sensor output in a mannerthat conveys utility consumption. The output can be used to determinevarious actual energy usage, environmental quality, and/or otherbuilding performance metrics for the energy use metrics tab 454, theconsumption tab 456, and/or the sensor tab 458. The output can besuperimposed with target metrics at equivalent time intervals.

IEQ information can be displayed by the dashboard 450 by physical area,sensor type and uses graphical icons to identify individual sensors. Thevisual display of actual building performance versus simulated targetsat time of investment shows provides real-time analysis of buildingperformance.

A building owner can use the information obtained from the dashboard 450and displayed on the landing page 452, the energy use metrics tab 454,the consumption tab 456 and/or the sensor tab 458 to use whole buildingmodeling and the dashboard to troubleshoot, digitally, buildingperformance attributes during the building interrogation process postoccupancy. The dashboard 450 can be used to perform interrogation-basedcommissioning processes that use digital simulation to narrow and toclarify the areas of performance gaps.

The API 444 connects the integrated interface 440 to an energycomputation server 470 that hosts an energy portfolio managerapplication 472. In this exemplary embodiment, the energy computationserver 470 is a server that is hosted by EnergyStar®. The energyportfolio manager application 472 can generate energy use metrics outputfor display on the energy use metrics tab 454.

Referring now to FIG. 5 with continuing reference to the foregoingfigures, a data acquisition device, generally designated as 500, isillustrated. The data acquisition device 500 can be implemented as acomputer, computer system, and/or computing device that can beconfigured as a special purpose computer or a general purpose computerspecifically programmed to acquire data. The data acquisition device 500can be configured to implement the virtual data acquisition component110 shown in FIG. 1 and/or the virtual data acquisition device 410 shownin FIGS. 4A-4B.

The data acquisition device 500 includes an operating system 510, aprocessor 512, memory 514, a screen 516, an input device 518, and anoutput device 520. The building model generation device 500 can host oneor more applications 522 that include data acquisition code 524 and/ormodel generation code 526.

The processor 512 can perform tasks such as signal coding, dataprocessing, input/output processing, power control, and/or otherfunctions. Memory 514 can be used for storing data and/or code forrunning operating system 510 and/or application(s) 522. Example data caninclude web pages, text, images, sound files, video data, or other datato be sent to and/or received from one or more network servers or otherdevices via one or more wired and/or wireless networks.

The operating system 510, the processor 512, memory 514, and/orapplication(s) 522 can cooperate to utilize screen 516 and/or tocommunicate with input device 518 and/or output device 520.

The application(s) 522 can produce virtual building performance modelsthat predict building performance during the planning phase. The virtualbuilding performance models can be whole-building energy models that canbe used to create alternate scenarios for building performance. Themodels can include utility consumption, IAQ and/or IEQ targets that canbe provided to the dashboard 450 shown in FIGS. 4A-4B. The targets canbe labels that are displayed simultaneously with actual buildingperformance. The targets can be displayed for predetermined scenarios.

The application(s) 522 can create bundles of efficiency measures withcalculated financial costs/benefits for owner to compare each option tothe EUI target and baselines established during the earlier simulations.The models can include financial metrics that can be used to assess theimpact of efficiency measures on operational costs, return oninvestment/asset, social cost of carbon and occupant benefits (i.e.indoor environmental quality, etc.). The financial metrics can be usedto calculate four levels of value provided to building owners of new,existing and retrofit commercial and residential buildings, includingoperational benefit, social cost of carbon benefits, asset valuationbenefits, and/or occupant benefits.

In some embodiments, the application(s) 522 can transform raw data in tobuilding performance metrics. In other embodiments, the application(s)522 transmit the raw data to an integrated interface, such as integratedinterface 130 shown in FIG. 1 or integrated interface 440 shown in FIG.4A, to calculate such metrics.

Referring now to FIG. 6 with continuing reference to the foregoingfigures, a data acquisition system, generally designated as 600, isshown. The data acquisition system 600 can be configured and implementedas the virtual data acquisition component 110 and/or the physical dataacquisition component 120 shown in FIGS. 1A-1B. Similarly, the dataacquisition system 600 can be configured and implemented as the virtualdata acquisition device 410 and/or to the physical data acquisitiondevice 430 shown in FIGS. 4A-4B.

The data acquisition system 600 can include various components and/orsensor assemblies that can acquire physical data from a building. Thesecomponents and/or sensor assemblies can include automatic temperaturecontrols 610, a building automation system 612, IEQ/IAQ sensors 614,manual entry devices 616, personal data monitors 618, utility meters620, and weather stations 622. These components and/or sensor assembliescan communicate with a data acquisition device 624. In this exemplaryembodiment, the data acquisition device 624 can be the data acquisitiondevice 500 shown in FIG. 5.

In some embodiments, the automatic temperature controls 610, buildingautomation system 612, IEQ/IAQ sensors 614, manual entry devices 616,personal data monitors 618, utility meters 620, and weather stations 622can connect to data loggers, such as meters and/or JAVA applicationcontrol engines (JACES), to facilitate communication over the network420 shown in FIGS. 4A-4B. In this exemplary embodiment, the JACES caninclude a JACE 8000-Tridium controller operating with Niagara 4 withinthe Niagara Framework®. Niagara Framework® is a registered trademark ofTridium, Inc., of Richmond, Va.

Referring now to FIG. 7 with continuing reference to the foregoingfigures, an integrated interface, generally designated by numeral 700,is shown. The integrated interface 700 can be implemented as a computer,a computer system and/or a computing device. The integrated interface700 can be the integrated interface 130 shown in FIG. 1. In suchembodiments, the integrated interface 700 connects, directly, to one ormore data acquisition devices 500 shown in FIG. 5 and/or dataacquisition systems 600 shown in FIG. 6.

Alternatively, the integrated interface 700 can be the integratedinterface 440 shown in FIGS. 4A-4B. In such embodiments, the integratedinterface 700 connects to one or more data acquisition devices 500 shownin FIG. 5 and/or data acquisition systems 600 shown in FIG. 6 over anetwork, such as network 420 shown in FIG. 4A.

The integrated interface 700 can include a platform 710, a processor712, memory 714, a screen 716, an input device 718, and an output device720. The integrated interface 700 can host one or more application(s)722 that include code 724 for enabling the dashboard 450 shown in FIG.4B.

The integrated interface 700 can include an API 726 that can connect tothe energy computation server 470 shown in FIGS. 4A-4B over the network420. The API 726 is essentially identical to the API 744 shown in FIGS.4A-4B.

The processor 712 can performing tasks such as signal coding, dataprocessing, input/output processing, power control, and/or otherfunctions. Memory 714 can be used for storing data and/or code forrunning platform 710 and/or application(s) 722. Example data can includeweb pages, text, images, sound files, video data, or other data to besent to and/or received from one or more network servers or otherdevices via one or more wired and/or wireless networks.

The platform 710, the processor 712, memory 714, and/or theapplication(s) 722 can cooperate to utilize screen 716 and/or tocommunicate with input device 718 and/or output device 720.

The platform 710 can utilize the application 722 obtain a virtualbuilding performance model from the virtual data acquisition component110 shown in FIG. 1 and/or the virtual data acquisition device 410 shownin FIGS. 4A-4B. The platform 710 can utilize the application 722 obtainphysical building performance data from the physical data acquisitioncomponent 120 shown in FIG. 1 and/or the physical data acquisitiondevice 430 shown in FIGS. 4A-4B. The platform 710 can enable theapplication 722 to enable comparison of predicted building performancemetrics with trended building performance metrics.

The platform 710 can configure and implement the dashboard 450, shown inFIGS. 4A-4B, which can include the landing page 452, the energy usemetrics tab 454, the consumption tab 456, and the sensor tab 458. Thedashboard 450 can generate visual displays that are based on thepredicted building performance metrics and/or the actual buildingperformance metrics to populate the landing page 452, the energy usemetrics tab 454, the consumption tab 456, and the sensor tab 458.

The integrated interface 700 can communicate API 726, which cancommunicate with the portfolio manager application 472 shown in FIGS.4A-4B to obtain an energy use metric therefrom. The application 722 canutilize the energy use metric to populate the energy use metrics tab 454shown in FIGS. 4A-4B.

Exemplary Dashboard Output

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate exemplary output for the dashboard 450 shown inFIGS. 4A-4B. It is to be appreciated that the output can be displayed onthe client device screen 462 shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, the screen 518 shownin FIG. 5, the integrated interface screen 718 shown in FIG. 7 and/oranother other similar screen or display device suitable for showingcomputer generated output.

Referring to FIG. 8A with continuing reference to the foregoing figures,a landing page 800 is shown. The landing page 800 provides a buildingowner with key building performance indicators for various portfolios ofconnected building. The landing page 800 is essentially identical to thelanding page 452 shown in FIGS. 4A-4B.

The landing page 800 includes a drop-down list 802 of buildingportfolios and/or buildings and a pair of maps 804-806 that can displaybuilding icons 808-810 that can represent buildings within a particularbuilding portfolio. The landing page 800 can also display variousindicia 812 of building statistics for a particular building, buildingportfolio, or building project.

The landing page 800 provides building owners with the ability to clickonto the building icons 808-810 to obtain various key performancemetrics, indicators, sensor outputs, and/or measurements for thebuildings that are associated therewith. In this exemplary embodiment,the landing page 800 includes a list 814 of key indicators/metrics forthe building associated with building icon 808 and a list 816 of keyindicators/metrics for the building associated with building icon 810.The list 814 includes indicators for site EUI 818, source EUI 820, cost822, and carbon (i.e., greenhouse gasses) 824 for building icon 808. Thelist 816 includes metrics for site EUI 826, source EUI 828, cost 830,and carbon emissions (i.e., greenhouse gas emissions) 832 for buildingicon 810.

The landing page 800 includes links 834 to other tabs that are similarto the energy use metrics tab 454, the consumption tab 456, and/or thesensor tab 458 shown in FIGS. 4A-4B.

Referring to FIG. 8B with continuing reference to the foregoing figures,an energy use metrics tab 836 is shown. The energy use metrics tab 836provides building owners with the ability to perform an energy useintensity analysis. The energy use metrics tab 836 can display propertydetails and energy use metrics for the current year and for past years.The energy use metrics tab 836 is essentially identical to the energyuse metrics tab 454 shown in FIGS. 4A-4B.

The energy use metrics tab 836 can display a property icon 838 that canrepresent a building and/or a portfolio of buildings, a description 840of the property, and a table 842 that displays various energy usemetrics measured at various time embodiments. In this exemplaryembodiment, the energy use metrics include EnergyStar® scores 844, siteEUI 846, source EUI 848, greenhouse gas emissions 850, and totalutilities costs 852.

The energy use metrics tab 836 can obtain certain energy use metricsfrom the energy computation server 470 shown in FIGS. 4A-4B. The energycomputation server 470 enables the energy portfolio manager application472 to provide automatic EnergyStar® metrics via an EnergyStar® driver.

Referring to FIG. 8C with continuing reference to the foregoing figures,a consumption tab 854 is shown. The consumption tab 854 can be autilities consumption tab that provides real-time consumption data fromattached metering for a particular building. The consumption tab 854 isessentially identical to the consumption tab 456 shown in FIGS. 4A-4B.

The consumption tab 854 has the ability to display trended consumptionindicia 856 and virtual consumption indicia 858. The consumption tab 854displays the data in a bar graph format with an x-axis 860 directed totime and a y-axis 862 directed to energy consumption. In this exemplaryembodiment, the time is measured in increments of days and energyconsumption is measured in kilowatt hours.

The consumption tab 854 can support all connection types and protocols.The consumption tab 854 can display trending information that can becombined with model trend data to give building owners the ability tocontrol building usage. This information can be used to identify issuesranging from inefficient systems to buildings that are being operatedoutside of designed/commissioned parameters. The consumption tab 854 cansupport all sources of utilities and renewables, such as cogenerationsystems, district energy chilled-water, district energy steam, electric,gas, potable water, renewable geothermal, renewable photovoltaics,renewable wind, and/or any other source.

Referring to FIG. 8D with continuing reference to the foregoing figures,a sensor tab 864 is shown. The sensor tab 864 can display trended outputfrom the physical data acquisition component 120 shown in FIG. 1 and/orthe physical data acquisition device 430 shown in FIGS. 4A-4B. Thesensor tab 864 is essentially identical to the sensor tab 458 shown inFIGS. 4A-4B.

The sensor tab 864 can include a pair of graphs 866-868 that canillustrate real-time temperature, humidity and indoor environmentalquality data output. The sensor tab 864 can also include a graphicalrepresentation of a floor plan 870.

The sensor tab 864 can support multiple connection types and protocolsto provide trending information relating to sensor output. This trendinginformation can be combined with model trending data to give buildingowners the ability to control building environmental conditions and airquality, such as ambient lighting, biometrics, CO2, CO, circadianlighting, formaldehyde, humidity, internally generated noise, Pb, O3,PM2.5, PM10, Rn, sound pressure level, temperature, VOCs, water qualityand/or other environmental factors.

The trending information can be used to produce other charts thatillustrate comfort zones or areas for other sensor output. For example,the sensor tab 864 can display a dynamic psychrometric chart 872 thatcan be used to illustrate thermal comfort by identifying areas or zonesin which temperature and humidity are at comfortable levels.Specifically, in this exemplary embodiment, the psychrometric chart 872ties together temperature and humidity levels over time to determinewhether the intersections of these three variables fall within certaintemperature-humidity comfort zones. The psychrometric chart 872 can bedisplayed on a thermal comfort meter.

In other embodiments, the sensor tab 864 can display charts that includeother combinations of sensor output to identify other comfort zones. Thecharts can be used to assess visual comfort, auditory comfort,respiratory comfort or other similar types of comfort. The sensor tab864 can function as a thermal comfort meter.

Exemplary Processes

Referring to FIGS. 9A-9B with continuing reference to the foregoingfigures, a method 900 is illustrated as an embodiment of an exemplaryprocess for assessing building performance in accordance with featuresof the described subject matter. Method 900, or portions thereof, can beperformed by one or more computing devices, a computer system,computer-executable instructions, software, hardware, firmware or acombination thereof in various embodiments. For example, method 900 canbe performed by system 100 shown in FIG. 1, system 400 shown in FIGS.4A-4B, or any other suitable system.

At 901, an integrated interface receives a building performance modelhaving a plurality of predicted building performance metrics. In thisexemplary embodiment, the integrated interface can be integratedinterface 130 shown in FIG. 1, integrated interface 440 shown in FIGS.4A-4B, and/or integrated interface 700 shown in FIG. 7. The buildingperformance model can be received from virtual data acquisitioncomponent 110 shown in FIG. 1, virtual data acquisition device 410 shownin FIGS. 4A-4B and/or data acquisition device 500 shown in FIG. 5.

At 902, the integrated interface receives a plurality of trendedbuilding performance metrics. In this exemplary embodiment, the trendedbuilding performance metrics can be received from physical dataacquisition component 120 shown in FIG. 1, physical data acquisitiondevice 430 shown in FIGS. 4A-4B and/or data acquisition system 600 shownin FIG. 6.

At 903, a platform is generated to facilitate the comparison of thepredicted building performance metrics with the trended buildingperformance metrics to identify performance gaps. In this exemplaryembodiment, the platform can be the building performance assessmentplatform 132 shown in FIG. 1.

At 904, the building performance model is modified to produce anenhanced building performance model. In this exemplary embodiment, thebuilding performance model can be modified by virtual data acquisitioncomponent 110 shown in FIG. 1, virtual data acquisition device 410 shownin FIGS. 4A-4B and/or data acquisition device 500 shown in FIG. 5.

At 905, the predicted building performance metrics and the trendedbuilding performance metrics are received in essentially the same formatto form an integrated data stream. In this exemplary embodiment, theintegrated interface 130 can configure and implement the buildingperformance assessment platform 132 to form the integrated data stream.

At 906, an interrogation based commissioning assistance module isenabled to utilize the integrated data stream. In this exemplaryembodiment, the interrogation based commissioning assistance module canbe the interrogation-based commissioning assistance module 134 shown inFIG. 1.

At 907, the integrated interface produces output for a dynamic decisionmatrix through the dashboard. In this exemplary embodiment, theintegrated interface 130 configures and implements the dynamic decisionmatrix output production module 136 shown in FIG. 1.

At 908, the integrated interface provides a dynamic display through thedashboard. In this exemplary embodiment, the dynamic display can beproduced through the dashboard display 138 shown in FIG. 1.

At 909, the integrated interface provides output to enable impactassessments for owners for sustainability goals, first costs and longterm operating costs through the dashboard. In this exemplary embodimentthe dashboard display 138 shown in FIG. 1 can be used to display theoutput.

At 910, the integrated interface provides output to enable visualidentification of the relationship between trended and predictedbuilding performance. In this exemplary embodiment the dashboard display138 shown in FIG. 1 can be used to display the output.

At 911, the building performance model is modified to produce anenhanced building performance model. In this exemplary embodiment, theintegrated interface 130 shown in FIG. 1, the integrated interface 440shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, and/or the integrated interface 700 shown in FIG.7 can communicate with the virtual data acquisition component 110 shownin FIG. 1, the virtual data acquisition device 410 shown in FIGS. 4A-4Band/or the data acquisition device 500 shown in FIG. 5 to produce theenhanced building performance model.

Supported Embodiments

The detailed description provided above in connection with the appendeddrawings explicitly describes and supports various features of abuilding performance assessment system in accordance with the describedsubject matter. By way of illustration and not limitation, supportedembodiments include a computing system for assessing buildingperformance, the system comprising: a processor configured to executecomputer-executable instructions; and memory storing computer-executableinstructions configured to: receive, at an integrated interface, abuilding performance model having a plurality of predicted buildingperformance metrics, receive, at an integrated interface, a plurality oftrended building performance metrics, and generate a platform tofacilitate the comparison of the predicted building performance metricswith the trended building performance metrics to identify performancegaps.

Supported embodiments include the foregoing computing system, whereinthe integrated interface modifies the building performance model toproduce an enhanced building performance model.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,wherein the integrated interface receives the predicted buildingperformance metrics and the trended building performance metrics inessentially the same format to form an integrated data stream.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,wherein the integrated interface enables an interrogation basedcommissioning assistance module to utilize the integrated data stream.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,wherein the integrated interface utilizes the interrogation basedcommissioning module to modify the enhanced building performance model.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,wherein the integrated interface utilizes the integrated data stream toprovide output for a dynamic decision matrix.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,wherein the dynamic decision matrix includes building performance goals,building construction costs, and long-term operational costs for abuilding.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,wherein the integrated interface provides a dynamic dashboard display.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,wherein the integrated interface provides output for visually assessinga plurality of key performance indicators for a building.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,wherein the integrated interface provides output to enable impactassessments for owners for sustainability goals, first costs and longterm operating costs.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,wherein the integrated interface provides output to enable visualidentification of the relationship between trended and predictedbuilding performance.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,wherein the building performance model is a design model.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,wherein the integrated interface receives trended data to calibrate thedesign model and to convert the design model into an operational model.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,wherein the systems define building performance success based upon apredetermined set of performance based goals.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,wherein the systems define building performance failure based upon apredetermined set of performance based goals.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,wherein a dashboard has ability to aggregate data tracked to identifygaps or areas of concern.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,wherein a dashboard has ability to disaggregate data tracked to identifygaps or areas of concern.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,wherein the integrated interface enables a comfort display for assessingbuilding occupant comfort.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,wherein the integrated interface synthesizes data for display on thecomfort display to assess at least one of thermal comfort, visualcomfort, auditory comfort, and respiratory comfort.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,wherein the integrated interface synthesizes at least one of temperaturedata and humidity data for display on the comfort display to assesscomfort.

Supported embodiments include a computer-implemented method, anapparatus, a computer-readable storage medium, and/or means forimplementing and/or performing any of the foregoing systems or portionsthereof.

Supported embodiments include a computing-implemented method forassessing building performance, the method comprising: receiving, at anintegrated interface, a building performance model having a plurality ofpredicted building performance metrics, receiving, at an integratedinterface, a plurality of trended building performance metrics, andgenerating a platform to facilitate the comparison of the predictedbuilding performance metrics with the trended building performancemetrics to identify performance gaps.

Supported embodiments include the foregoing computer-implemented method,further comprising: modifying the building performance model to producean enhanced building performance model.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implementedmethods, further comprising: receiving the predicted buildingperformance metrics and the trended building performance metrics inessentially the same format to form an integrated data stream.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implementedmethods, further comprising: enabling an interrogation basedcommissioning assistance module to utilize the integrated data stream.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implementedmethods, further comprising: producing, through a dashboard, output fora dynamic decision matrix.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implementedmethods, further comprising: providing, through a dashboard, a dynamicdisplay.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implementedmethods, further comprising: providing, through a dashboard, output forvisually assessing a plurality of key performance indicators for abuilding.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implementedmethods, further comprising: providing, through a dashboard, output toenable impact assessments for owners for sustainability goals, firstcosts and long term operating costs.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implementedmethods, further comprising: providing, through the dashboard, output toenable visual identification of the relationship between trendedbuilding performance and predicted building performance.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implementedmethods, wherein the building performance model is a design model,further comprising: receiving trended data to calibrate the design modeland convert the design model into an operational model. Supportedembodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implemented methods,further comprising: enabling interrogation-based commissioning.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implementedmethods, further comprising: enhancing a project model.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implementedmethods, further comprising: enabling on-site dynamic dashboarddisplays.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implementedmethods, further comprising: improving actual building performance.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implementedmethods, further comprising: improving predicted performance of thevirtual buildings.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implementedmethods, further comprising: enabling the virtual assessment of keyperformance indicators otherwise not available during various stages ofthe construction cycle.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implementedmethods, further comprising: enabling impact assessments for ownersrelating to sustainability goals, first costs and long term operatingcosts.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implementedmethods, further comprising: enabling visual identification of therelationship between trended and predicted building performanceotherwise not available during early operations of a building.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implementedmethods, further comprising: dynamically assessing the relationshipsbetween building performance goals, building construction costs, andlong-term operational costs throughout the entire building constructioncycle.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implementedmethods, further comprising: transmitting physical trended data andvirtual predicted data in similar formats to enable the integration ofdata streams.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implementedmethods, further comprising: enabling the determination of gaps betweentrended versus predicted building performance data.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implementedmethods, further comprising: enabling the identification of gaps betweenpredicted data and trended data to inform a dynamic decision matrix.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computer-implementedmethods, further comprising: enabling the utilization of a dynamicdecision matrix to enable impact assessments for owners relating tobuilding performance goals, building construction costs, and long-termoperational costs.

Supported embodiments include a system, an apparatus, acomputer-readable storage medium, and/or means for implementing and/orperforming any of the foregoing computer-implemented methods or portionsthereof.

Supported embodiments include a system for assessing buildingperformance, the system comprising: a virtual data acquisition componentfor generating a building performance model having a plurality ofpredicted building performance metrics, a physical data acquisitioncomponent for obtaining a plurality of trended building performancemetrics, and an integrated interface for receiving the buildingperformance model from the virtual data acquisition component having theplurality of predicted building performance metrics and the plurality ofphysical building performance metrics from the physical data acquisitioncomponent, wherein the integrated interface enables the comparison ofthe predicted building performance consumption metrics with the trendedbuilding performance metrics to identify performance gaps.

Supported embodiments include the foregoing system, wherein theintegrated interface enables modification of the building performancemodel to produce an enhanced building performance model.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing systems, wherein theintegrated interface enables an interrogation based commissioningassistance module to modify the enhanced building performance model, andwherein the integrated interface provides output for a dynamic decisionmatrix.

Supported embodiments include a computer-implemented method, a system, acomputer-readable storage medium, and/or means for implementing and/orperforming any of the foregoing apparatuses or portions thereof.

Supported embodiments include a computing system for providing aplatform for calculating building performance metrics, the systemcomprising: a processor configured to execute computer-executableinstructions; and memory storing computer-executable instructionsconfigured to: access a memory device to obtain a building performancemodel for a building with the building performance model having aplurality of predicted building performance metrics for a plurality oftime intervals over a predetermined period of time stored thereon witheach predicted building performance metric corresponding one of theplurality of time intervals, generate a landing page having at least onebuilding icon relating to the building, a consumption tab, and at leastone link connecting the landing page to the consumption tab, receive atleast one building sensor measurement for at least one time intervalwithin the predetermined period of time, determine at least one actualbuilding performance metric for the at least one time interval withinthe predetermined period of time, and display the at least one actualbuilding performance metric with a corresponding predicted buildingperformance metric on the consumption tab, so that the at least oneactual building performance metric can be compared to the predictedbuilding performance metric for the at least one time interval withinthe predetermined period of time.

Supported embodiments include foregoing computing system, furtherconfigured to: generate a sensor tab for displaying sensor outputderived from the building sensor measurement.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,wherein the sensor output includes data selected from the groupconsisting of real-time temperature data, humidity data, indoor airquality data, and other indoor environmental quality data. The data canbe displayed as aggregated data or disaggregated data. The indoorenvironmental quality data can include information about carbon monoxide(CO), lead (Pb), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), Ozone (O₃), particulate matter(PM10 and PM2-5) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂), andradon.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,further configured to: generate an energy use metrics tab for displayingenergy use metrics output.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,further comprising: an interface for communicating with a portfoliomanager application over a network; wherein the portfolio managerapplication calculates at least one energy use metric and the interfacereceives the energy use metric from the portfolio manager application.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,further configured to: generate energy use metric output from the energyuse metric.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,further configured to: display the landing page and the consumption tabon a display device selected from the group consisting of a buildingmonitor display, desktop PC monitor, laptop monitor, a tablet, and asmartphone.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,further configured to: generate an energy use metrics tab for displayingenergy use metrics output.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing computing systems,further configured to: display the landing page, the consumption tab,the sensor tab, and the energy use metrics tab on a display deviceselected from the group consisting of a building monitor display,desktop PC monitor, laptop monitor, a tablet, and a smartphone.

Supported embodiments include a computer-implemented method, anapparatus, a computer-readable storage medium, and/or means forimplementing and/or performing any of the foregoing systems or portionsthereof.

Supported embodiments include a computing-implemented method forproviding a platform for calculating building performance metrics, themethod comprising: accessing a memory device to obtain a buildingperformance model for a building with the building performance modelhaving a plurality of predicted building performance metrics for aplurality of time intervals over a predetermined period of time storedthereon with each predicted building performance metric correspondingone of the plurality of time intervals, generating a landing page havingat least one building icon relating to the building, a consumption tab,and at least one link connecting the landing page to the consumptiontab, receiving at least one building sensor measurement for at least onetime interval within the predetermined period of time, determining atleast one actual building performance metric for the at least one timeinterval within the predetermined period of time, and enabling thedisplay of the at least one actual building performance metric with acorresponding predicted building performance metric on the consumptiontab, so that the at least one actual building performance metric can becompared to the predicted building performance metric for the at leastone time interval within the predetermined period of time.

Supported embodiments include the foregoing method, further comprising:generating a sensor tab for displaying sensor output derived from thebuilding sensor measurement.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing methods, furthercomprising: generating an energy use metrics tab for displaying energyuse metrics output.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing methods, furthercomprising: communicating with a portfolio manager application over anetwork to obtain at least one energy use metric from the portfoliomanager application; and deriving the energy use metrics output from theenergy use metric.

Supported embodiments include a system, an apparatus, acomputer-readable storage medium, and/or means for implementing and/orperforming any of the foregoing computer-implemented methods or portionsthereof.

Supported embodiments include an apparatus for monitoring buildingperformance metrics, the apparatus comprising: a building modelgenerating system for generating a building performance model having aplurality of predicted building performance metrics; a computing systemconnecting to the building model generating system over a network andhosting a building performance assessment platform thereon; and abuilding having at least one sensor for monitoring actual buildingperformance metrics in real-time with the sensor connected to thecomputing system; wherein the building performance assessment platformreceives the building performance model from the building modelgenerating system and derives the actual building performance metricsfrom the sensor; wherein the building performance assessment platformenables the comparison of the predicted building performance metricsfrom the building performance model with the actual building performancemetrics.

Supported embodiments include the foregoing apparatus, wherein thebuilding performance assessment platform includes a landing page, aconsumption tab, a sensor tab, and an energy use metrics tab.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing apparatuses, whereinthe computing system is configured to display the landing page and theconsumption tab on a display device selected from the group consistingof a building monitor display, desktop PC monitor, laptop monitor, atablet, and a smartphone.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing apparatuses, whereinthe computing system is configured to display the actual consumptionmetrics with the predicted building performance metric on theconsumption tab.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing apparatuses, whereinthe computing system is configured to display sensor output derived fromthe sensor on the sensor tab.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing apparatuses, whereinthe sensor is a sensor selected from the group consisting of atemperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and an indoor environmentalquality sensor.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing apparatuses, whereinthe computing system includes an interface for communicating with aportfolio manager application over the network with the portfoliomanager application calculating at least one energy use metric fordisplay on the energy use metrics tab.

Supported embodiments include any of the foregoing apparatuses, furtherincluding a meter and a JACE with the sensor connecting to the meter andto the JACE to form a sensor assembly.

Supported embodiments include a computer-implemented method, a system, acomputer-readable storage medium, and/or means for implementing and/orperforming any of the foregoing apparatuses or portions thereof.

Supported embodiments include a computer-readable storage medium storingcomputer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computingdevice, cause the computing device to: access a memory device to obtaina building performance model for a building with the buildingperformance model having a plurality of predicted building performancemetrics for a plurality of time intervals over a predetermined period oftime stored thereon with each predicted building performance metriccorresponding one of the plurality of time intervals, generate a landingpage having at least one building icon relating to the building, aconsumption tab, and at least one link connecting the landing page tothe consumption tab, receive at least one building sensor measurementfor at least one time interval within the predetermined period of time,calculate at least one actual building performance metric for the atleast one time interval within the predetermined period of time, andenable the display of the at least one actual building performancemetric with a corresponding predicted building performance metric on theconsumption tab, so that the at least one actual building performancemetric can be compared to the predicted building performance metric forthe at least one time interval within the predetermined period of time.

Supported embodiments include a kit for monitoring building performancemetrics, the kit comprising: a building model generating system forgenerating a building performance model having a plurality of predictedbuilding performance metrics; a computing system connecting to thebuilding model generating system over a network and hosting a buildingperformance assessment platform thereon; and at least one sensorassembly having a sensor for monitoring actual building performancemetrics in real-time.

Supported embodiments can provide various attendant and/or technicaladvantages in terms of improved efficiency and/or savings with respectto power consumption, memory processor cycles, and/or othercomputationally-expensive resources. By way of illustration and notlimitation, various features and implementations in accordance with thedescribed subject matter offer many benefits, which include a buildingmonitoring system that enables a dashboard that gives building ownersthe ability to “drill down” to the single building level with just a fewclicks of the mouse.

Supported embodiments include a dashboard that provides updated metricsthat provide insight into EUI, energy costs, and greenhouse gasemissions.

Supported embodiments include a system for monitoring buildingperformance with scalability that provides support for a single buildingor portfolios of buildings.

Supported embodiments include a system for monitoring buildingperformance that exhibits simplicity that allows “at-a-glance” deliveryof key site and building metrics.

Supported embodiments include a dashboard that exhibits “ease ofnavigation” to provide answers with a fewer mouse clicks.

Supported embodiments include a system that displays of aggregated anddisaggregated whole-building performance data. Aggregated data caninclude multiple sensors and multiple sources of data. Disaggregateddata can include fewer sensors or a single sensor. Disaggregated datacan include fewer sources of data or a single source of data. Timeintervals can be on a year to year scale for aggregated data and on aslittle as a fifteen minute scale for disaggregated data.

The detailed description provided above in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of examples and is not intended torepresent the only forms in which the present examples can beconstructed or utilized.

It is to be understood that the configurations and/or approachesdescribed herein are exemplary in nature, and that the describedembodiments, implementations and/or examples are not to be considered ina limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. The specificprocesses or methods described herein can represent one or more of anynumber of processing strategies.

As such, various operations illustrated and/or described can beperformed in the sequence illustrated and/or described, in othersequences, in parallel, or omitted. For example, it should be understoodthat an embodiment is contemplated in which a building monitoring systemcalculates or determines various building performance metrics byobtaining those metrics from an energy computation server. Anotherexemplary embodiment is contemplated in which a building modelgenerating system resides on the same computer, computing device, and/orcomputer system as a building monitoring system.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are presented asexample forms of implementing the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for optimizing building performance,the apparatus comprising: a virtual data acquisition component forcalibrating a virtual building performance model having a plurality ofpredicted building performance metrics produced through a physics-basedsimulation of expected building performance, a physical data acquisitionsystem for acquiring physical data from a building, and an integratedinterface, wherein the integrated interface receives the plurality ofpredicted building performance metrics from the virtual data acquisitioncomponent and the physical data from the physical data acquisitionsystem and communicates the plurality of predicted building performancemetrics and physical data to an output device.
 2. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the physical data acquisition system acquires the physicaldata from physical sensors.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thephysical data includes at least one of energy usage data, indoorenvironmental quality data, climate and weathering data, and water usagedata.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the integrated interfacecommunicates the plurality of predicted building performance metrics andphysical data to the output device to provide a user with the ability toidentify building performance gaps.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe integrated interface communicates the plurality of predictedbuilding performance metrics and physical data to the output device forthe prediction and the verification of building performance.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a building performanceassessment platform.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the buildingperformance assessment platform provides output for visually assessingperformance of portfolio of buildings.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6,wherein the building performance assessment platform provides theability to continuously monitor the building performance virtually. 9.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display device includes adashboard for displaying data selected from the group consisting ofsensor data, meter data, and building monitoring system data.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the data is displayed in real-time. 11.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the virtual building performance modelis produced during a building phase consisting of a design phase, aconstruction phase, a commissioning phase, and an operation phase. 12.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the virtual data acquisitioncomponent can test energy conservation measures of the building duringthe building phase.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the integratedinterface communicates the plurality of predicted building performancemetrics and physical data to a computer system over a network.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein the computer system includes an energycomputation server.
 15. A computing-implemented method for optimizingbuilding performance, the method comprising: calibrating, with a virtualdata acquisition device, a virtual building performance model having aplurality of predicted building performance metrics produced through aphysics-based simulation of expected building performance, obtaining,with a physical data acquisition system, physical data from a building,receiving, with an integrated interface, the plurality of predictedbuilding performance metrics from the virtual data acquisition componentand the physical data from the physical data acquisition system, andcommunicating the plurality of predicted building performance metricsand physical data to an output device.
 16. The computing-implementedmethod of claim 15, further comprising: transmitting, with theintegrated interface, the plurality of predicted building performancemetrics and physical data to the output device to provide a user withthe ability to identify building performance gaps.
 17. Thecomputing-implemented method of claim 15, further comprising:transmitting, with the integrated interface, the plurality of predictedbuilding performance metrics and physical data to the output device forthe prediction and the verification of building performance.
 18. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 15, further comprising: acquiring,with the physical data acquisition system, the physical data fromphysical sensors.
 19. The computer-implemented method of claim 15,further comprising: monitoring actual building performance metrics inreal-time.
 20. An apparatus for optimizing building performance, theapparatus comprising: a virtual data acquisition component forcalibrating a virtual building performance model having a plurality ofpredicted building performance metrics produced through a physics-basedsimulation of expected building performance, a physical data acquisitionsystem for acquiring physical data from a building, and a platform hostfor generating a cloud-based platform, wherein the platform hostreceives the plurality of predicted building performance metrics fromthe virtual data acquisition component and the physical data from thephysical data acquisition system and communicates, through thecloud-based platform, the plurality of predicted building performancemetrics and physical data for display on a dashboard on a displaydevice.